n Pakistan, climate change is no distant concern; it’s part of the reality we live every day. It is seen playing out on the faces of rural women burdened with longer walks to fetch water from wells running dry. It is heard in the whispers of coastal communities worried about creeping sea levels and, in bustling urban areas, increasingly scorching, unbearable summer heat. And yet, we are overlooking a crucial part of the solution,

the empowerment of women.

As we approach the 29th Conference of the Parties, where leaders from across the globe will discuss climate action strategies, we have a unique chance to bring attention to a concept that could redefine our future: climate empowerment through women empowerment. We should not think of empowering women as a by-product of climate action; it should be at the heart of it. Imagine a future where Pakistani women from every corner of the country stand at the forefront of climate solutions, leading local initiatives and bringing innovative ideas born out of their intimate relationship with the land and the community.

In Pakistan, climate change is exacerbating existing social and gender inequalities, often hitting women the hardest. In rural regions, they are the ones ensuring that their families have food and water. They often bear the brunt of climate impacts on agriculture. A severe drought doesn’t just dry up the fields; it stretches their responsibilities, drains their time and reduces their already limited access to resources. How do we expect any meaningful adaptation to climate change while leaving half of our population out of the conversation? Women aren’t just victims of climate change; they’re also its unsung champions, equipped with generational knowledge about resource management, water conservation and sustainable agriculture. This isn’t simply anecdotal; research supports it. When women are actively involved in community decision-making and climate resilience planning, entire communities see an increase in their adaptive capacity, sometimes by 20-25 per cent.

This was evident in a village in the Punjab where women were leading a community-driven afforestation project. They were reclaiming control over their environment, creating jobs and fortifying their community against future droughts. Their understanding of the land - its cycles, its needs, its vulnerabilities, gave them a unique insight into climate solutions that distant decision makers too often fail to see.

Climate empowerment through women empowerment is not just a feel-good slogan; it’s a game-changing strategy. Studies show that countries with high gender equality have better climate policies and improved environmental outcomes. Women bring a collaborative, inclusive approach that considers the nuances of resource management and sustainable practices. They prioritise community needs and think holistically, often focusing on solutions that benefit families, health and livelihoods. Picture a Pakistan where more women have access to training in sustainable agriculture, renewable energy and green technology. How much stronger will our communities be?

In the absence of inclusive, on-the-ground policies, we risk creating solutions that may work on paper but fail in practice. Empowering women isn’t an add-on to climate policy; it’s central to achieving progress.

Yet, as things stand, women in Pakistan rarely get such opportunities. They are limited not by their abilities, but by systemic barriers that deny them access to resources, education and leadership roles. In a country on the frontline of climate impact, it’s baffling that we continue to overlook such a potent resource. Enabling women to lead in climate action would not only mitigate environmental damage but also create a ripple effect of social and economic benefits. Imagine the impact if more women-led initiatives were supported across our provinces, helping us achieve food security, water conservation and environmental stability.

We talk about new infrastructure projects, satellite technology and international alliances, but where are the programmes aimed at training rural women in sustainable practices? Where is the funding for women-led environmental initiatives? The truth is, these conversations often happen at a level far removed from the communities that need the most help. Without inclusive, on-the-ground policies, we risk creating solutions that may work on paper but fail in practice. Empowering women isn’t an add-on to climate policy; it’s central to achieving progress.

Take the Green Belt Movement in Kenya, which began with women planting trees to combat deforestation. The programme didn’t just reforest degraded land; it transformed communities, giving women income and a sense of purpose. In Bangladesh, the Women’s Fisheries Project empowered women to manage local fisheries, leading to sustainable practices and improved community livelihoods. Pakistan too can replicate such initiatives. Our women have the will power, the resilience and the ingenuity to launch effective projects if only we choose to empower them.

We must carry this perspective to COP29. We need to voice the critical role of women in climate resilience and demand policies that place them front and centre. Pakistan’s leaders should push for gender-responsive climate policies that integrate women into every stage of climate action—from planning to implementation. This means advocating for gender parity in climate discussions, demanding that international climate funds specifically allocate resources for women-led projects and establishing training programmes that arm women with the knowledge and skills needed for sustainable environmental management.

Climate change is the greatest existential threat we face. We need all hands on the deck. Women, especially in Pakistan, are not just bystanders in this crisis. They are crucial allies. In many cases, they are the most knowledgeable about their communities’ specific needs. They are capable, resilient and innovative. Imagine a future where a girl in a Pakistani village learns not only about climate change but also about how she can help lead her community’s response. Imagine the ripple effect of having thousands of women across Pakistan equipped to handle climate challenges in their communities, from Sindh’s coastal areas to the mountainous regions in the north.

The world may be coming together at COP29, but real change starts here, at home. As we move forward, we must commit to creating climate strategies that do more than mitigate damage. Create strategies that uplift and empower, building resilience from the ground up, starting with the women of Pakistan. They are not merely stakeholders; they are architects of our climate future. By recognising their role, empowering their voices and investing in their ideas, we stand a real chance at not just adapting to climate change but thriving through it.

The writer is a policy analyst and researcher. She has a master’s degree in public policy from King’s College, London.